Damco, the recently formed forwarding and logistics giant, is the product of the merger of Maersk Logistics forwarding services (a leading logistics provider and a fully owned subsidiary of the A.P. Moller-Maersk Group), and Damco Sea & Air, today announced the finalization of this integration. The company will now operate under the Damco name.
The two companies have a long history of offering their customers forwarding services such as ocean and air freight as well as land-based services including trucking, customs clearance, and document management. With the year on year (2006 over 2005) business growth of 30% of Maersk Logistics forwarding services, DSL Star Express, in the Middle East and with the integration with Damco, broader logistics services are expected to be delivered to customers with a more efficient and streamlined operation.
The newly integrated company will maintain its regional headquarters in Dubai and will grow its employment base from 71 to 85 by year’s end. The Damco brand will now be used across the company’s Middle East offices located in Jordan, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and UAE.
“This integration marks a quantum leap for Damco and we expect to see a stronger, more structured approach to the market. This will have a direct and positive impact on our business in the Middle East,” said Sandeep Sahae, Damco Senior General Manager Middle East Area. “To support the activities of our regional customers and considering that more than 30,000 containers have been shipped in 2006 from the region, we plan to utilize the newly integrated organization to develop more value adding services.”
Damco will continue to develop its long standing relationships with international airlines such as Emirates Airlines, British Airways and Lufthansa, all major ocean carriers, a host of local landside service providers such as trucking companies and customs house brokers as well as a broad range of other global and local service providers. Maersk Logistics acquired Damco Sea & Air in 2005 in connection with the acquisition of P&O Nedlloyd, an Anglo-Dutch worldwide ocean-going container shipping line.
Damco Sea & Air was the forwarding arm of P&O Nedlloyd and was established in 1988 but operated independently through both wholly owned offices and a network of third party agents. At the 2006 Middle East Logistics Awards, DSL Star Express won the award for the Best Logistics service provider – Sea Freight. -Ends- About Damco: Damco is part of the A.P. Moller - Maersk Group and its head office is located in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is a freight forwarder, offering flexible, localized, and personalized services to meet our customers’ varied requirements. Damco believes that a personal, long-term relationship with each customer is the foundation for the company continued, profitable business.
